City Fire Department

On June 17 17, our worst fears were realized - our mobile home burned, causing total destruction.We live in the Campbell City area and, despite our misfortune, we wish to publicly thank the Campbell City Fire Department and also the Intercession City Fire Department for their quick response, and their caring concern about our needs. The Osceola Sheriff's Osceola County Sheriff's Department responded, as did the American Red Cross , and the Victim Advocate Program.Our county does have a lot of support systems, and they go unrecognized for their jobs well done.

The Orange County firefighters' union is planning what it's calling "a community informational rally" Saturday morning in Belle Isle, where the city wants to create its own fire department. "They want people to be informed about the difference between having a large fire department that's been serving them for years rather than ... starting up a new department," said firefighter Marianne Nuckles, a union spokeswoman. Orange County currently provides fire-rescue services to the city of 6,100 residents near Orlando International Airport.

HAINES CITY -- The State Fire Marshal's Office is investigating a fire at Mediterranean Villas Apartments on Sunday. The Haines City Fire Department responded to a call about 8 p.m. at 401 W. Florida Ave. and determined the fire was suspicious. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call the fire marshal at 863-519-1080 or the Haines City Police Department at 863-421-3636.

COCOA BEACH — A man visiting from Arizona drowned Sunday evening in rough surf off Cocoa Beach. Police said William J. Clifford, 66, of Tempe, was swimming with a friend in the ocean near the Ocean Landings Resort on North Atlantic Avenue when he was pulled out by the strong current. He was brought ashore by rescuers from the city fire department, police and beach rangers and was taken to Cape Canaveral Hospital, where he died a short time after the 5:30 p.m. incident.

The owners of a downtown high-rise are suing 21 companies, blaming them for a 1991 fire that killed three firefighters. The lawsuit filed Friday by E-R Associates blames the makers of the nozzles used on the city Fire Department's hoses and the fire-protection companies it hired, among others. It seeks $400 million in damages. Some rags left by carpenters working in an office spontaneously caught fire, starting the blaze that gutted the building across from City Hall.

HIGH-RISE FIRE. A fire in a 21-story high-rise on Friday shut the local offices of the state's courts and the state attorney general. The fire was limited to an unoccupied machinery room on top of the building. Other offices were closed while firefighters inspected the building, city Fire Department spokesman Greg Acevedo said. More than 250 firefighters battled the blaze, which broke out about 12:35 a.m. and was doused 40 minutes later, Acevedo said. Firefighters were not sure what caused the fire, Acevedo said, adding that no damage estimate was available.

COCOA BEACH — A man visiting from Arizona drowned Sunday evening in rough surf off Cocoa Beach. Police said William J. Clifford, 66, of Tempe, was swimming with a friend in the ocean near the Ocean Landings Resort on North Atlantic Avenue when he was pulled out by the strong current. He was brought ashore by rescuers from the city fire department, police and beach rangers and was taken to Cape Canaveral Hospital, where he died a short time after the 5:30 p.m. incident.

A fire that tore through a Chinese department store and killed 79 people Sunday was blamed on lax workers doing electrical welding, another sign safety standards are falling victim to China's economic boom.The official Xinhua news agency Monday briefly reported Sunday's disaster, one of the deadliest fires to strike China in recent years.The agency said the fire ripped through the three-story Linxi department store in the northeastern city of Tangshan during peak shopping hours Sunday afternoon, transforming the store into an inferno.

SOUTH FULTON, Tenn. (AP) — Authorities say firefighters in a far western Tennessee city let a mobile home burn down because the owner didn't pay a $75 yearly fee for fire protection. Jeff Vowell, city manager of South Fulton, told the Union City Daily Messenger that the city fire department let Gene Cranick's doublewide trailer home burn last week because he didn't pay the subscription common in many rural areas. Cranick's home is outside city limits, but South Fulton offers fire protection to nearby residents for a fee and did protect a neighboring house that paid.

DAYTONA BEACH - Fire and forestry officials are conducting a controlled burn along the western edge of Daytona Beach today and Friday.The city fire department and state forestry officials have conducted several controlled burns this winter to reduce the brush that could feed future fires, Lt. Gene Stone said.The burning is scheduled for between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., but it will only be conducted if conditions are right and if the smoke can be directed away from the city and Interstate 95. Firefighters will be monitoring the fires.

SOUTH FULTON, Tenn. (AP) — Authorities say firefighters in a far western Tennessee city let a mobile home burn down because the owner didn't pay a $75 yearly fee for fire protection. Jeff Vowell, city manager of South Fulton, told the Union City Daily Messenger that the city fire department let Gene Cranick's doublewide trailer home burn last week because he didn't pay the subscription common in many rural areas. Cranick's home is outside city limits, but South Fulton offers fire protection to nearby residents for a fee and did protect a neighboring house that paid.

The Orange City Fire Department Association is raising money to restore a 1937 Chevrolet fire truck. The truck was originally a flatbed, and volunteers built its body from cypress wood. Although it was retired in the 1970s, it's still used for parades and other events. So far the association has raised $8,500 of its $10,000 goal. Volunteers will be collecting donations from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday at the local Walmart. They'll also provide free blood-pressure checks. —Eloísa Ruano González

HAINES CITY -- The State Fire Marshal's Office is investigating a fire at Mediterranean Villas Apartments on Sunday. The Haines City Fire Department responded to a call about 8 p.m. at 401 W. Florida Ave. and determined the fire was suspicious. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call the fire marshal at 863-519-1080 or the Haines City Police Department at 863-421-3636.

MINNEOLA -- City officials agreed Thursday night to start their own fire department next year amid concerns about the cost of the service. The City Council discussed ways to bring down the costs of a city-run department by possibly reducing staff or vehicles. In the end, most council members thought the price could be worthwhile to get improved emergency response for the city's 7,500 residents. "I think this is in the best interest of the city to go forward," City Council member Sue Cordova said.

MINNEOLA -- Officials will weigh the cost of a city Fire Department tonight in a growing debate about improved emergency service. Supporters say a city-run fire station will provide better and faster responses for Minneola's growing population. Others question whether the hefty price tag is worth breaking longtime ties with Lake County Fire Rescue. A recent study at the center of discussions put initial costs of vehicles and equipment at about $820,000. The annual operating expenses could run up to $725,000 a year.

MINNEOLA -- The city will have to pay a lot more to start a new fire department after dissolving its longtime service agreement with Lake County, according to a new report. A city-run fire department initially could cost Minneola about $820,000 to purchase vehicles and equipment. The annual operating expenses could run up to $725,000 a year, which is a 76-percent increase from what the city now pays Lake County Fire Rescue each year. A scaled-back option with fewer city firefighters could cost $566,000 annually.

He graduated with the DeLand High School Class of 1964. Now he wants to lead the city fire department into the 21st century.George Graves will get his wish. He was promoted from acting fire chief to permanent fire chief Thursday by City Manager Wayne Sanborn.Graves, 49, will have served 25 years in the city fire department as of September. He doesn't think he will be chief when it comes time to retire at 62, though.''I want to lead the fire department into the next century,'' Graves said.

MINNEOLA -- The city will have to pay a lot more to start a new fire department after dissolving its longtime service agreement with Lake County, according to a new report. A city-run fire department initially could cost Minneola about $820,000 to purchase vehicles and equipment. The annual operating expenses could run up to $725,000 a year, which is a 76-percent increase from what the city now pays Lake County Fire Rescue each year. A scaled-back option with fewer city firefighters could cost $566,000 annually.

NEW YORK -- Scores of supervisors at the New York City Fire Department, including some of its most senior surviving commanders, have retired since Sept. 11, and hundreds more have notified their union that they expect to leave in the next year. At the same time, the department's front-line firefighters are retiring at more than double the usual rate, fire officials say. The expected retirements, when combined with those commanders killed at the World Trade Center 11 months ago, mean that the department will soon have lost roughly one-quarter of its entire supervisory staff.

Altamonte Springs' voters will have a clear choice on Nov. 6 when they elect two members of the City Commission. The city is moving in the right direction, and there is no reason to change paths now. Incumbents Pat Freeman and Sarah Reece deserve re-election. They are part of a team that has kept Altamonte Springs a leader among well-run cities. Their commitment, experience and outlook are vital as Altamonte Springs faces major development decisions in the near future. Although their challengers may be worthy candidates, they lack the broad background in community service and governmental affairs that would equip them to serve as the city's leaders.